First Kitless Pen

Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
See more from KMCloonan

KMCloonan

KMCloonan

Member
Joined
Jun 13, 2017
Messages
1,773
Location
Round Lake, Illinois
My first kitless pen - I learned a tremendous amount as I made this pen. I received incredible help & support from Duncan (@duncsuss) and Rick Herrell (@rherrell)

Rick's double end section mandrel is amazing. He also made me a couple of mandrels and a stepped drill bit that made this much easier than it would have been without these tools.

Duncan was very patient with my very basic questions, and I really appreciate the help!

This pen will likely never see the light of day, as there are significant flaws (like the section not being concentric with the body tenon), but I will save it to remind me of the experience.

004.JPG


005.JPG


Thanks for looking!
 
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
That looks great for a first pen Kevin!

The fact that you have a pen that fits together and functions as your first, is awesome.

I still have my first kitless as well as my first sleeved wood kitless (which I use every day).

Please keep sharing your work!
 
KMCloonan said:
My first kitless pen - I learned a tremendous amount as I made this pen. I received incredible help & support from Duncan (@duncsuss) and Rick Herrell (@rherrell)

Rick's double end section mandrel is amazing. He also made me a couple of mandrels and a stepped drill bit that made this much easier than it would have been without these tools.

Duncan was very patient with my very basic questions, and I really appreciate the help!

This pen will likely never see the light of day, as there are significant flaws (like the section not being concentric with the body tenon), but I will save it to remind me of the experience.

View attachment 382364

View attachment 382365

Thanks for looking!
Click to expand...
You mentioned a stepped drill bit, this can drill the body hole without changing bits right? With just one pass?
 
MedWoodWorx said:
You mentioned a stepped drill bit, this can drill the body hole without changing bits right? With just one pass?
Click to expand...
Hi Mike - Yes, that is exactly what it does. Instead of using 4 different drill size drill bits and trying to only drill to a specific depth with each bit, the stepped drill can take care of that in one step. Well, actually two steps - step one was to use a #2 centering drill bit to drill a dead-center hole. Then the stepped drill takes care of the rest. You can contact Rick Herrell (@rherrell) for more info if you would like one made for your specific application.
 
You see many flaws... I see many successes. Yes, every turning with a new process will give "opportunities for learning', but do not ignore your successes - be well with future progress. (I love the final pen/blank). ;) ;) ;)
 
KMCloonan said:
Hi Mike - Yes, that is exactly what it does. Instead of using 4 different drill size drill bits and trying to only drill to a specific depth with each bit, the stepped drill can take care of that in one step. Well, actually two steps - step one was to use a #2 centering drill bit to drill a dead-center hole. Then the stepped drill takes care of the rest. You can contact Rick Herrell (@rherrell) for more info if you would like one made for your specific application.
Click to expand...
Kevin, I think that @MedWoodWorx was asking about drilling the body (barrel). The step drills that I have from Rick are for drilling the section for the Nib Housing. Is that what yours are, or do you have barrel and cap step drills too? If so, I might have to look into those. :cool:
 
KMCloonan said:
This is a pensmiths blank, but I have loaded up on schedule 80 3/4" ID PVC like you and will be pouring my own blanks very soon.
Click to expand...
Cool. I have an updated tutorial on how I make my molds. Maybe I will get in gear, make some final tweaks, and see if Wayne can update it in the library. It is an easier and better design than what I did before. - Dave
PS Let me know if you would like me to PM a copy to you before it gets to the library.
 
Last edited:
d_bondi said:
Kevin, I think that @MedWoodWorx was asking about drilling the body (barrel). The step drills that I have from Rick are for drilling the section for the Nib Housing. Is that what yours are, or do you have barrel and cap step drills too? If so, I might have to look into those. :cool:
Click to expand...
I don't have step drills for the body and cap, but Duncan mentioned that Rick made him some step drills for body and cap.
 
egnald said:
Cool. I have an updated tutorial on how I make my molds. Maybe I will get in gear, make some final tweaks, and see if Wayne can update it in the library. It is an easier and better design than what I did before. - Dave
Click to expand...
I would really like to see how you make your molds. looking forward to the tutorial.
 
You did an amazing job, beautifully done. Great blank choice! You will find there is still much to learn, but the challenges are what keep you going down the rabbit hole.
 
Great result, Kevin - and full marks for risking such a nice blank for your first attempt (I used the cheapest I could find for the first couple I made!)

KMCloonan said:
I don't have step drills for the body and cap, but Duncan mentioned that Rick made him some step drills for body and cap.
Click to expand...
Sorry if I misled you about this - not the body, just a cap (M13 x 0.8 x 3) and 3 different section types (JoWo #6 and #5, Bock #6).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom